Jaguar Bringing Facelifted XF to New York Auto Show, New Diesel For Europe

When it debuted in 2008, the Ian Callum-penned Jaguar XF represented a radical styling departure from its predecessor, the retro-themed S-Type. The new XJ that followed in 2010 was likewise iconoclastic in its complete departure from its forebear. While from the looks of things, the 2012 XF won’t be as big a leap as the original, the refresh looks like it will continue Jaguar’s fully modern styling theme into the next model year, when it’s revealed at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show.

For markets outside the U.S., Jaguar will also offer a four-cylinder, 2.2-liter turbodiesel, the first time a four has made an appearance under the XF’s hood. The engine is rated at 187 horsepower and a hefty 332 pound-feet of torque, which should prove to be ample motivation for an entry-level powerplant. Although no dragstrip demon with a 0-62 mph time of 8.5 seconds, thanks to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and a stop-start system, the powertrain should provide the XF with a frugal U.S.-equivalent 43.6 mpg combined average.No details of updated powertrains for the U.S. market have been announced, although it’s possible the eight-speed ZF may be offered on some U.S. models. Not long ago, a four-cylinder would have been unfathomable in the luxury market, but with entries from Audi, and announcements from BMW and Mercedes-Benz about new four-cylinder models, four-pots are no longer the luxury scarlet letter they once were.

Cool, looks like the XF will get a more XJ-like face, based on the headlight cut-lines. My dream-sedan is the XJ Supercharged, but if this gets the XJ face, the XF would be a more affordable option. :)